In Memory Bob Moorby by eldest son Michael Moorby

 

I feel my Dad was gifted. I know it’s an unusual way to put it. But it’s almost as if God had chosen his survivors.

 

 

Since Dad’s death, I’ve been reading the book ‘Bomber Command’, by Max Hastings, and I suppose it’s opened my eyes to what they all went through and that anyone ever survived at all.

 

Dad was a lovely man and as they put it in Rowledge, ‘the gentleman’. He was the new man of his age. He helped our mother bring us up – washing us, feeding us, cooking and ironing, housework – they shared the work. They were in their forties before they could afford to buy a house, but the car came a little earlier.

 

I am the eldest of three sons. I was born in August 1944. My twin brothers came four years later. I took early retirement this year. But do I start in terms of Dad?

 

I first remember Dad just before my brothers were born. He was pushing me in a swing in Ravenscourt Park in Hammersmith. That was the last time I had him to myself. It wasn’t until after Mum died that that feeling returned.

 

Being the only unmarried son, I spent more time with him. I used to go down as often as possible. We had holidays together – Italy, Paris, Bournmouth, Sidmouth and Skegness. In Skegness we were looking for a village called Moorby. We also checked out the airfields there.

 

His interest in the RAF came back to him after seeing a letter in the Mail. It was someone he flew with in the war. This gave him a purpose especially after Mum’s death. Now he could follow things up. On his Reunions he found new and old friends and I know he looked forward to going. Now it became ‘sorry Mike, I cannot see you then, I’m away in Norwich!’ Dad did however achieve a wartime ambition. He took flying lessons in his late seventies!!

 

As he was happy on his Reunions, it seemed to be the best place for his uniform, etc to be. Here he could share his memories with his new and old friends and I could still see him … from time to time …

 

Michael Moorby

 

 

Remembering Bob Moorby by friend, Shirley Whitlock

 

Many people will warmly remember Bob Moorby who sadly passed away in January 2008. We met by chance really in November 2005.

 

Reading the book: ‘The Stirling Story’ , by Michael Bowyer; a crash of a Stirling in the sea off Bexhill is mentioned. Two crew members were killed, the date August 10th 1943. I knew this must be the crash in which we lost my Uncle Sgt Eric Smith, Navigator. The number of the plane and Squadron 214 was also given. I followed up this information and from various emails was put in touch with Peter Walker, secretary of 214 Squadron, who then put me in touch with Bob who was the wireless operator and had survived the crash and of course the war!

 

We, my family, had always believed all the crew that survived was lost on their next mission. Not so as Bob, badly injured, was still in hospital recovering from the Bexhill crash.

 

We arranged to meet and it was wonderful to be able to talk about Eric’s last mission and all the raids they had been on together. He said Eric was his best friend. Probably a number of members read Bob’s very interesting article in the October 2006 edition of ‘Flypast’ Magazine entitled: ‘Forgotten Bombers’ .

 

We became good friends and he meant a lot to my sons too. Going to air shows, etc with my younger son and flying with my older son. With special permission, Ian flew him into Coltishall after it was closed and before it was sold. He was thrilled!!!

 

We also spent time with my brother and his wife Ron and Jackie. Visiting Eric’s grave, Bob’s wish, and Ely Cathedral where there is a memorial to the 100 Group depicted in the beautiful stained glass windows etc. The Verger opened the book in memory of those lost from 100 Group and left it open at Eric’s name. She was most helpful.

 

Bob had invited me to the 100 Group Reunion 2006 and I have enjoyed each meeting since and met such wonderful people. His Reunions with both 100 Group and 214 Squadron meant so much to him.

 

I am sure he would be happy to know his RAF belongings have been donated to the care of the Norwich Air Museum, another of his special interests.

 

It was a pleasure and honour for me to have met Bob and call him my friend, although for only a few short years.

 

Shirley Whitlock

 

 

This article is from the Summer 2008 issue of Confound and Destroy